Covid Vaccinations for Senior Students
This week we met with staff from the Tasmanian Health Service to discuss upcoming Covid vaccinations for our senior students. While anyone over 16 years of age are now eligible, the school's vaccination program is only for students in Years 11 & 12, and staff who interact with them, at this stage. Vaccinations dates at SBSC are Thursday 23 September and Thursday 21 October. This ensures, as the state government have directed, that all senior students are fully vaccinated prior to their external examination period. Parents of students in Years 11 & 12 will receive detailed information via email tomorrow/will have received detailed information via email earlier today.

Year 10 Celebration Dinner
2021 is the fifth year since we started running a Year 10 Celebration Dinner. I would rate Friday night as having the best behaved, most cooperative group of students, making for an elegant and fun event. Thanks to the student who took the time on Friday night to shake hands with and personally thank each of the staff who were present. Your gesture was noticed & appreciated.

I would like to thank the students who attended the meetings to give input about the event, especially Amelia Burbury & Zara Walker who did a huge amount of work behind the scenes, and Starla Christie & Sarah Ellis for making the video while ensuring that every person in the grade appeared in it. Finally, thanks to all of you for making it a relaxed and enjoyable evening. It was lovely to see how much you have all matured. Yes, you looked fabulous, but the things I appreciated were your efforts to make conversation at the table and the general positive vibe of the night. I am looking forward to all of us finishing the year strong.

Nominations for SRC Executive 2022
This week I joined Miss Leah Sussman in speaking to our Year 10 & 11 students about the nomination process for the SRC Executive. They have been sent a google form inviting them to nominate, and have until Wednesday 15 September to complete that form. I ask parents to encourage their children to step outside their comfort zone if they are on the fence about nominating. The process is then as follows:

• Once nominations have closed, the list of nominees is shared with all teachers. If there are nominees of concern, we have a conversation with those nominees and their nomination may or may not proceed.
• Information session with all nominees this term.
• Students have the school holiday break to prepare a brief speech that is given in front of their year group peers.
• Voting opens directly following the speeches.
• All nominees will be advised no later than Monday 25 October whether they have been successful.
• Fri 29 October handover occurs at the Valedictory assembly.
• 22-24 November all SRC Exec members attend a camp - compulsory for all SRC Exec members. Specific roles (eg school captain) are determined by the students on the SRC Exec on the second day of this camp.
• The first "official duties" for SRC Exec are our presentation assembly and house Christmas Parties Dec 6&7, ie after they have already finished school.

At our commissioning assembly in March, Gerard Gaskin, the Executive Director of Catholic Education Tasmania, defined leadership in 3 words: Love, Service, Courage. I see the order as intentional - love must come first. In terms of the student leadership roles, a love of the school is necessary, as is love for their peers. There are many ways in which student leaders will serve the community and their peers - through action and through their role modelling. Finally, student leaders need the courage to put forward, honestly, the views of their peers, and also the courage to call out their peers when they are out of line.

Mr Frank Pisano will be back at school from Monday. I have been in touch with him and know he has enjoyed a much-needed rest, as well as time with family. I have appreciated the opportunity to gain a different perspective by acting in the role of principal and have enjoyed the new challenges. I thank Mrs Shelley Keightley for acting in the role of Deputy Principal, Pastoral Care during this time.

For many students, our evening began before we even arrived at the venue, by taking photos with friends and family. Once the photos concluded we all travelled to our school where we were greeted by Ms Walters at the front of Westcourt. Most of my peers lined up in twos ready to be greeted by Mr Daman Peters, Mr Gerry Peters and a live streaming camera. As we walked into the Genesis centre two at a time most people would have been looking at the DJ set up, the beautiful room, and where we all were going to sit. 

Once everyone had taken our seats we were greeted by our host Mr Gerry Peters and Mr Daman Peters. After the Peters’ had concluded talking to everyone, we all got up from our tables and started taking more photos with friends and teachers. As we waited for our food to arrive at our tables we all listened to tunes and had conversations with our friends at the table. The food was amazingly cooked by none other than Mr Sallese who made us Arancini balls, sushi, and much more. While enjoying our food we enjoyed watching some memories from the slide show that had been created by Sarah Ellis and Starla Chrystie. After enjoying our dinner our awards were given out. All of the awards were hilarious and then it came to the best dress of the night, for the girls it was Zara Walker and for the dressed boy it was me. After having a good laugh from the awards given out it was time for dessert which was pastries with whipped cream inside, passionfruit meringues and little goodies. We concluded our night with some dancing, we all got hyped up by the DJ listening to some hits from when we were younger. We sang and danced until the last song of the night which was Mr Bright by request from everyone.

Special thanks to Amelia Burbury and Zara Walker who did a huge amount of the organising on behalf of the grade. Overall it was a fantastic night enjoyed by all.

Hunter Cross

Last week we celebrated Mental Health Week 2.0, raising funds for charity with a cupcake fundraiser. While today is R U OK day, we should always remind ourselves to check in with our peers, friends, and family on any day. The ups and downs of life can affect each of us differently. Sometimes it isn't clear someone is struggling, but having the support of family and friends can help us better navigate the challenges that come our way, don't wait until someone is visibly distressed or in crisis to ask them how they are going. Take a moment to ask, are you ok? Your conversation could change a life.

Each year our year 9 automotive students participate in the 2 Stroke Section Project. The project is designed for students to dissect a 2 stroke engine of their choice, exposing the carburettor

and other features inside while still functional. The students then rebuild their engines.

Next Thursday and Friday Year 9 students have their Pastoral Care and Reflection Days. This is a compulsory part of the education of ours for students at SBSC and so, unless there is a very important reason for the absence, all students are expected to attend both days. On Thursday Year 9 boys have their pastoral care day while girls are on their reflection day, and this swaps for Friday. Students have been sent a google form in relation to the Pastoral Care day, and a google doc has been shared by Mr Peters in relation to their reflection day. Further details will be sent to Year 9 parents via email.